Adaptive energy performance monitoring and control system

ABSTRACT

A controller is configured for and a corresponding method of adaptive monitoring and control of a lighting system are suited for adaptively establishing lighting parameters on a fixture by fixture basis. The controller includes a communication interface configured to communicate with a multiplicity of light fixtures, a memory for storing software routines and information associated with each of the light fixtures; and a processor coupled to the memory and the communication interface and configured to execute the software routines and selectively communicate with at least one of the multiplicity of light fixtures to adaptively establish lighting parameters for the at least one of the multiplicity of light fixtures. A method of facilitating the monitoring and control of the light fixture includes controlling a lamp circuit to provide one of a multiplicity of light levels; assessing performance parameters of the light fixture; and communicating with a central server.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Provisional Application, Ser. No,60/695,252, filed on Jun. 30, 2005 and Provisional Application, Ser. No.60/695,459, filed on Jun. 30, 2005, both of which are herebyincorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to control systems and morespecifically adaptive monitoring and control of systems, such aslighting systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Control and monitoring systems for systems such as lighting systems areknown. Such systems can be used to turn light fixtures or luminaireson/off and monitor for basic performance, e.g., current drain, cyclingconditions, number of on/off cycles and the like.

Lighting systems are often designed in accordance with standardsestablished by the Illumination Engineering Society (IES) which is aninternational body of lighting engineers. The standards describeappropriate lighting levels or lumen output levels that a lightingsystem should provide. The light level or lumen output that isrecommended by the IES varies in accordance with lighting applications,e.g., indoor, outdoor, playing field, parking lot, etc. For streetlighting the standards consider type of roadway (residential, freeway,feeder or collector, etc) as well as activity level for both vehicles(possibly included in type of roadway) and pedestrians (referred to apedestrian conflict level).

Lighting systems cover large geographic areas and consume large amountsof energy in the aggregate. The large geographic areas contribute tohigh maintenance costs since a technician often has to visit thelocation of each light fixture and these visits may need to be timed sothe fixtures are operational (i.e., night time or off hours).Furthermore the large geographical areas can contribute to theimpracticality of metering energy usage of individual or even sets offixtures, thus resulting typically in estimating usage.

Lighting systems and constituent components of light fixtures have alife expectancy and operate differently with differing output lightlevels or lumens over that life time. Lighting engineers realize thisand typically over design systems such that they are producing lumenoutputs well in excess of the recommended levels during much of theirlife expectancy and appropriate levels only during later phases of theirlife expectancy. This further contributes to large and often excessiveenergy consumption.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate viewsand which together with the detailed description below are incorporatedin and form part of the specification, serve to further illustratevarious embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages allin accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 depicts in a simplified and representative form, a high levelsystem diagram with various entities or stakeholders in accordance withone or more embodiments;

FIG. 2 in a representative form, shows a system diagram indicative of aphysical embodiment for a lighting system with adaptive control andmonitoring in accordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 3 in a representative form, shows a system diagram illustratinglogical relationships in an extended lighting system in accordance withone or more embodiments;

FIG. 4 in a representative form, shows a high level block diagram of acontroller configured for adaptive monitoring and control of a lightingsystem in accordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a representative embodiment of a light fixturecontroller in a light fixture for use in the systems of FIG. 1-FIG. 3 inaccordance with one or more embodiments; and

FIG. 6 shows a flow chart illustrating one or more methods of adaptivelymonitoring and controlling a lighting system in accordance with one ormore embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In overview, the present disclosure concerns adaptively controlling andmonitoring systems, e.g., lighting systems, pursuant for example, tosaving energy and maintenance costs. The systems, controllers, methodsand the like discussed and described provide for entity by entity, e.g.,light fixture by light fixture, control and monitoring where the controland monitoring are performed in a manner that is adaptive to thespecifics of the entity, e.g. light fixture. More specificallytechniques and apparatus for controlling light fixtures, such as used instreet lighting or other lighting systems so that the fixtures orluminaires provide accurately controlled and specified light levels overthe life expectancy of each light fixture are described and discussed.

The systems of particular interest may vary widely but include outdoorand indoor lighting systems or any other system where ambient orgenerated light levels and accurate control and monitoring thereof on afixture by fixture basis can be advantageously used to enhance andimprove energy consumption and thus costs including externalities (e.g.,global warming) of these systems. In systems, equipment and devices thatare suited for adaptive control and monitoring, e.g., street lighting orother lighting systems, a central controller and database can beparticularly advantageously utilized to provide accurate light levelsand timely maintenance information on a fixture by fixture basis,provided they are practiced in accordance with the inventive conceptsand principles as taught herein.

The instant disclosure is provided to further explain in an enablingfashion the best modes, at the time of the application, of making andusing various embodiments in accordance with the present invention. Thedisclosure is further offered to enhance an understanding andappreciation for the inventive principles and advantages thereof, ratherthan to limit in any manner the invention. The invention is definedsolely by the appended claims including any amendments made during thependency of this application and all equivalents of those claims asissued.

It is further understood that the use of relational terms, if any, suchas first and second, top and bottom, and the like are used solely todistinguish one from another entity or action without necessarilyrequiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between suchentities or actions.

Much of the inventive functionality and many of the inventive principlesare best implemented with or in integrated circuits (ICs) includingpossibly application specific ICs or ICs with integrated processingcontrolled by embedded software or firmware. It is expected that one ofordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and manydesign choices motivated by, for example, available time, currenttechnology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts andprinciples disclosed herein will be readily capable of generating suchsoftware instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.Therefore, in the interest of brevity and minimization of any risk ofobscuring the principles and concepts according to the presentinvention, further discussion of such software and ICs, if any, will belimited to the essentials with respect to the principles and concepts ofthe various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 1, a simplified and representative high level systemdiagram with various entities or stakeholders in accordance with one ormore embodiments will be briefly discussed and described. FIG. 1, showsa controller 101 configured for communication with a multiplicity oflight fixtures 103 and associated light fixture controllers via aplurality of gateways 105 or lumen stations (one shown). Generally alighting system would have multiple gateways with each providing acommunication path or link to a group of light fixtures. Thecommunication path or link to the light fixtures can be wired (phoneline, power line, fiber optic, etc.) or can be wireless (short rangeunlicensed, cellular based, satellite, mesh network, etc.) and differentgateways can use different wired or wireless communication paths orlinks. Generally these communication paths or links do not handle largevolumes of data and the communication needs are not highly time criticaland therefore a wide variety of technologies can be used to support thelinks or paths. The other links or paths indicated, e.g., gateway tocontroller, are generally paths between limited numbers of fixedlocation equipment and typically will be wired paths, e.g., telephone orcable company based paths, although suitable wireless paths may be used.

The controller further comprises or has access to a database 107 wherethe database includes information corresponding to each light fixture orluminaire. This information includes fixture by fixture configurationinformation, e.g., ballast, capacitor, bulb types, a luminance profiletable with light or lumen output levels and power or energy consumptioninformation for each lumen output level, log files for statusinformation and the like as reported by the fixture, and various otherfixture by fixture information.

FIG. 1 also illustrates various entities or actors that may desire orneed access to various portions of the controller, system, or databaseduring system development, deployment, or operation. Typically thisaccess is required during deployment as a light fixture is fitted orre-fitted with a light fixture controller and configured to operate withthe system discussed and described herein. For example, a testing team109 needs access to the database to load energy or luminance or powerprofile tables. Generally the test teams characterizes each possibleballast circuit to provide a table (luminance or power profile table)that cross references output lumen level versus power consumption and alighting level indication for a multiplicity of lighting levelindications and thus expected light or lumen levels, e.g., 64 levels inone embodiment. The power profile table in addition to Ballastspecification (from Manufacturer) and capacitor specification thatmatches the Ballast are part of an ACD (approved components database)which is a portion of an Inventory module included with the database. Agiven light fixture will be associated with one of the luminance profiletables, etc.

An IES or lighting engineer 111 needs access to the system and databasefor loading or changing targeted lumen output values (energy profiles)on a fixture by fixture basis. These changes can result from a systemevaluation or changes in surfaces, roadway types or activity levels andthe like that can be fixture specific. Typically this energy or outputprofile will be a function of time of day and possibly seasonallydependent as well. For example, higher lumen output is desired duringpeak traffic periods while early morning periods, e.g., 1 AM to 5 AM,suggest a much lower output is appropriate. Furthermore Saturdays mayvary from Mondays, etc. Similarly, the contractor 113 in charge ofsystem deployment and maintenance will likely need access from time totime. The technician 115 in charge of integrating the light fixturecontroller into a luminaire or light fixture housing will need access tothe inventory module and approved components database as well as accessto load the specific components (Ballast, Capacitor, lamp) used for aspecific fixture.

Technicians 117 in the field and responsible for actual deployment ofthe light fixture and associated light fixture controller, will needaccess as light fixtures are installed for recording set up informationincluding geographic location, etc. As shown the technician is provideda handheld unit 119 (Lumen Conductor) that can be used for appropriatedata confirmation and entry (e.g., ground level lumen level, deploymentdates, equipment configuration, etc.). In one embodiment a lift truck121 equipped with a local radio transceiver can be used to facilitateaccess of the portable equipment and prospective light fixture to thecontroller 101 and database 107. It will be appreciated that theportable unit can be loaded with proper information and later used tofacilitate a download of this information via a wired interface to thecontroller and database, etc.

Other actors include the system owner or owner's representative 123 whowill have access to the system controller and database to obtain variousreports (energy consumption reports, energy or lighting profile changes,maintenance information, etc.) and load configuration data (equipmentcomponents, etc.) or provide approval for data that is loaded.Additionally it is expected that the Company (electric utility) thatprovides power for the system will be given access to energy consumptionor profile information, i.e., information to facilitate consumptionbased metering.

Referring to FIG. 2, a representative system diagram indicative of aphysical embodiment for a lighting system with adaptive control andmonitoring in accordance with one or more embodiments will be brieflydiscussed and described. FIG. 2 shows a system level diagram of onephysical embodiment of a lighting system. The lighting system of FIG. 2shows a controller 201 which is in relative part functionally similar tothe controller 101 of FIG. 1. In FIG. 2 the controller or systemcontroller 201 is shown in a distributed embodiment including a systemor application server 203 intercoupled via a local area network (LAN)205 to a report server 207 and central database 209. The report serverhas access to the central database and can be utilized to providevarious reports (energy consumption, performance and maintenance and thelike). The respective servers are commercially available and can utilizegeneral purpose computers available from, e.g., Dell, Hewlett Packard,Sun, etc.

The controller 201 is shown coupled via the Internet (World Wide Web,etc.) 213 to one or more clients 211 (remote computers and the like)that provide external web access to the controller, etc. The controlleris also coupled via a communication interface and the Internet 213,e.g., via a virtual private network (VPN) tunnel, telephone gateway,etc. to a multiplicity of light fixtures, e.g., street lights.Specifically the controller 201 is shown coupled to and communicatingwith the light fixtures via one or more gateways or lumen stations,i.e., gateway 219 is coupled via a wireless link to light fixtures (oneshown) 221, gateway 223 is shown coupled to light fixtures 224, andgateway 227 is coupled to light fixtures 229. Note that the gateways221, 223, 225 can be viewed as part of the system controller as they canplay an integral part in the management and adaptive control andmonitoring for the overall system or street lighting system. Thegateways are depicted as supporting a communication path or link(wireless link in this embodiment) to the light fixtures and among otherduties aggregate data from light fixtures, i.e., associated lightfixture controllers, and forward this data or information to the systemcontroller and database. The gateways also allow the controller tocommunicate information suitable to establish lighting parameters, e.g.,schedules (times, lumen levels, etc.) and the like and request logfiles, etc. from individual light fixture controllers. Further shown inFIG. 2 is a handheld device (conductor) 225, functionally similar to thedevice of FIG. 1, which may be configured to communicate via a wirelesslink with a particular light fixture controller as shown.

Referring to FIG. 3, a representative system diagram illustratinglogical relationships in another embodiment of an extended lightingsystem in accordance with one or more embodiments will be discussed anddescribed. FIG. 3 shows a controller 301 and central software hostingenvironment comprising a central system server 303, central database305, report server 307 and communication and application server 309. Itwill be appreciated that these servers can be a distributed computernetwork or one or more of the servers can be performed by one computerinstallation. Each of these servers is intercoupled with the others andthe database 305 via in one embodiment a LAN. The controller 301 iscoupled to a lighting system that is spread over two cities.

City 1 311 is comprised of a plurality of clusters (two shown) 313, 315with each comprising a gateway and multiplicity of nodes where each nodetypically corresponds to or is associated with a light fixture, e.g.,street light or luminaire. The nodes are organized in the embodiment ofFIG. 3 in a mesh network wherein one node may operate as a relay site toassist with or support a communication path from another node to thegateway. A conductor 317 and Web client 319 associated with city 1 311is also depicted. City 2 321 is similar to city 1 as depicted and iscomprised of a plurality of clusters (two shown) 323, 325 with eachcomprising a gateway and multiplicity of nodes where each node typicallycorresponds to or is associated with a light fixture, e.g., street lightor luminaire. The nodes are organized in the embodiment of FIG. 3 in amesh network wherein one node may operate as a relay site to assist withor support a communication path from another node to the gateway. Aconductor 327 and Web client 329 associated with city 2 311 is alsodepicted. It will be appreciated that the different cities can bedifferent states or provinces or different countries. It will also beappreciated that different clusters can be organized in a fashion otherthan a mesh network or use communication links other than wirelesslinks.

The gateways or stations of FIG. 3 as well as FIGS. 1 and 2 may beconsidered to be part of a controller or system controller. The gatewayscan be coupled to the central or system controller via a wired orwireless link or path. In various embodiments, the functionality of thegateways include supporting the communication interface between thesystem controller 301 and the multiplicity of light fixtures, e.g.,luminaires. This includes the interface between the gateway and lightfixtures (routing tables and the like) and the interface between thegateway and system controller. The gateways can be instrumental infirmware upgrades for light fixture controllers including programmingany configuration parameters. The gateways can get light fixturecontroller states, capacitance levels (light output settings, collecterror and operational logs, maintenance logs and the like and uploadthem to the central controller and database, as well as transfer otherlighting parameters, e.g., schedules and lighting levels to theindividual fixture controllers.

The nodes or light fixture controllers support the communication link tothe associated gateway, maintain error condition and other historicaldata logs, provide cycling protection for the associated lamp, maintaina minimum required light output level in accordance with a schedule andany lamp, ballast, etc depreciation (degradation), dirt build up and thelike as sensed by a lamp output level sensor. This controller turns thelamp OFF or ON at an appropriate or designated light level and changesthe level to account for degradation or depreciation and records datathat is sufficient to determine power consumption and passes the data tothe system controller.

Referring to FIG. 4, a representative high level block diagram of acontroller, e.g., similar to controller 101, 201, 301 or the like, whichis configured for adaptive monitoring and control of a lighting systemin accordance with one or more embodiments will be discussed anddescribed. FIG. 4 shows a controller configured for adaptive monitoringand control of a system, e.g., a lighting system. The controllercomprises a communication interface 401 that is configured tocommunicate with a multiplicity of light fixtures either directly orindirectly as noted above. It will be appreciated that variousprotocols, e.g., IP protocols (TCP, etc.) can be utilized forcommunications via the communication interface. The controller furthercomprises a memory 403 that is configured for storing software routinesand information associated with each of the multiplicity of lightfixtures. The memory can be any combination of known memory technologyincluding magnetic, optical, solid state, etc.

Additionally included in the controller is a processor 405 that iscoupled to the memory and the communication interface and that isconfigured to execute various of the software routines and selectivelycommunicate with at least one or more of the multiplicity of lightfixtures to adaptively establish lighting parameters for the at leastone of the multiplicity of light fixtures. Also shown is a userinterface 407 which functions in various manners as is generally knownand may be located at the same site or a remote site with respect to thecontroller.

The memory 403 includes or stores an operating system and variables 409that as will be generally appreciated is suitable for instructing thecontroller to perform its respective duties. Further included arevarious operating routines and applications 411. These routines orapplications include software instructions 413 that are directed toscheduling respective light fixtures, consumption metering for lightfixtures, and controlling light levels for individual light fixtures orone or more groups of light fixtures. Additionally shown are routines415 that are focused on monitoring light fixtures (collectingperformance and error data), forecasting light fixture performance andmaintenance activities, and protecting respective light fixtures, e.g.,from over cycling or over temperature conditions, and system functions.

Additionally included in the memory 403 is a database 417. The databaseincludes light fixture configuration information 419 which indicateswhat components are used by each light fixture as well as a centralizedapproved components (ballast, capacitor, lamp, etc.) database.Additionally shown are performance logs 421 that are collected from eachlight fixture and provide an indication of times when lamp is on, lightoutput levels, temperatures, errors, etc. Furthermore, the databaseincludes light or energy profile tables 423. These tables show for eachoutput setting, e.g., up to 64 settings, expected lumen output levelsand energy input levels for each configuration of ballast, capacitor,lamp, etc that has been evaluated over a selection of, e.g., 64capacitance values. A particular light fixture will be associated with aparticular one of the tables 423. Generally if a particular lumen orlight output level is desired an output setting or lumen indication,i.e., level from 0 to 63 can be selected and provided to a given lightfixture. In some embodiments the light fixture or associated fixturecontroller can set the fixture to the indicated level, measure via alight or lamp sensor the actual output level, and modify the setting toobtain the desired level. In other embodiments the actual lumen outputlevel is measured and reported and based on the measured level theindicated level can be adjusted up or down to obtain the targeted outputlevel.

Also included is a reports application that is configured to providereports regarding, e.g., energy consumption for selected light fixturesor sets of fixtures over selected period of time. Other reports includemaintenance reports, either actual or prospective. Other examples ofreports include performance monitoring reports, component failurereports, custom reports resulting from filtering configuration,performance, or failure data or the like. For example, a report focusedon light fixtures with particular components for a particular section ofa roadway for a particular time period and particular performanceparameter, e.g. lamp cycling, could be formed using a custom reportingapplication.

The lighting parameters referred to above can be adaptively establishedin terms of a lighting application (roadway, parking lot, etc.), theparticulars of the light fixtures (ballast, capacitor, lamp, etc.), ageof the fixture or one or more constituent components, performancehistory and current or targeted performance, etc., etc. In general, thelighting parameters are adapted to or tailored or customized in view ofthe light fixture, its environment, or other particulars. For example,the processor can be configured to adaptively establish lightingparameters for the at least one or more or each of the multiplicity oflight fixtures based on lighting information corresponding,respectively, to the one or more of the multiplicity of light fixtures.

The lighting information can be obtained from the memory 403 and includeor be dependent on a lighting schedule (days, times, output level as afunction of the day and time) and the like or past lighting or lumenoutput levels for the particular light fixture or targeted light outputlevels as stored in the memory. The processor can adaptively establishlighting parameters for at least one or more and possibly each of themultiplicity of light fixtures based on lighting status informationobtained from the corresponding one or each of the multiplicity of lightfixtures. In various embodiments, the processor can be configured toadaptively establish a lighting level for and based on lighting statusinformation obtained from at least one of the multiplicity of lightfixtures, where the lighting status information corresponds to theinformation in the memory associated with the at least one of themultiplicity of light fixtures.

Thus, the controller, specifically processor 405 can adaptivelyestablish different lighting parameters for one versus a different oneof the multiplicity of light fixtures based on different lightinginformation associated with one versus the different one of themultiplicity of light fixtures. In summary, using the controller of FIG.4, etc. allows a system or lighting system to set light levels that areprovided by each light fixture so that just enough or a minimumacceptable light or lumen level is being provided for the circumstancesassociated with each corresponding light fixture over the service lifeor lifetime of the lighting fixture. This is in sharp contrast to knownpractices of over designing and over lighting a given surface knowingthat degradation or depreciation of light fixtures over the life of thefixtures or components will result in just enough lumen output in thelater stages of the life cycle for a fixture. By providing just enoughlight output from each light fixture, rather than an excess amount oflighting for most of the fixture life cycle, significant energy savingsare realized. Similarly life cycles or lifetimes for some light fixturescan be extended when they are operated at lower output levels, therebyrealizing savings in maintenance costs.

As indicated above, the controller, specifically the communicationinterface can comprise in total or in part a wireless interface to someor all of the multiplicity of light fixtures. The wireless interface canbe an adhoc interface in accordance with various IEEE 802 standards, acellular interface, or other low power unlicensed interface. Thewireless interface can rely on terrestrial based infrastructure orpossibly take advantage of a satellite system. In one embodiment, thewireless interface comprises a wireless network configured as a meshnetwork that is comprised of a plurality of transceivers associated witha corresponding plurality of the multiplicity of light fixtures wherethe transceivers can operate as relay stations to insure that acommunication path exists between each transceiver and the controller.In other embodiments, the communication interface further comprises inwhole or in part a wired interface to the multiplicity of light fixturesand may take advantage of communication links using power lines,telephone lines, fiber optic cables, or the like. The communicationinterface can provide a communication link to one or more gateways,where each gateway provides a communication link to one or more of themultiplicity of light fixtures.

Various embodiments of the controller, specifically the processor 405are further configured to selectively communicate with at least one ormore or each of the multiplicity of light fixtures to adaptivelyestablish lighting levels for one or more of the multiplicity of lightfixtures, where the lighting levels are based on a schedule for therespective ones of the multiplicity of light fixtures. Where the lightfixtures or luminaires have the ability to vary the light output levelsover a multiplicity of output levels, the controller or processor canvary the lighting levels over three or more levels in accordance with atime of day, i.e., OFF, ON at a high level during peak traffic periods,and ON at a lower light output level during non peak traffic or activityperiods, e.g., early AM hours. The lighting levels can correspond to alighting application, e.g., streets or roads, parking lot, stadiumlighting system, indoor or outdoor, etc. The lighting levels can vary inaccordance with or vary to correspond to a type of surface to beilluminated (freeway, city, residential) or to correspond to an activitylevel (vehicular or pedestrian) associated with a type of surface to beilluminated. The lighting levels can correspond to or be controlled tocorrespond to one or more weather conditions, i.e., when adverse weatherconditions (snow, rain, etc) are present in a given location, lumen orlighting output levels can be increased in those areas.

In one or more embodiments, the controller, specifically the processorvia the communications interface can control individual light fixturessuch that the lighting levels correspond to an age of one or morecomponents associated with each of the multiplicity of light fixtures.In particular the lighting levels can be compensated by indicating ahigher light output value as the light fixture or constituent componentsage and thus the lighting level as provided by a light fixture iscompensated for the age (held nearly constant) and thus depreciation ordegradation of the fixture or components. The lighting levels can becontrolled in accordance with or to correspond to performanceinformation obtained from each of the multiplicity of light fixtures.

In various embodiments, the controller or the processor is configured toselectively communicate with each or one or more of the multiplicity oflight fixtures to obtain performance related information associated withthe respective one of the multiplicity of light fixtures. For example,the processor is configured to obtain performance information sufficientto determine power consumption of the respective ones of themultiplicity of light fixtures, i.e., input power and number of hours ateach input power level. Additional performance related information orother data regarding various components, etc. can be collected orcaptured in real time for later or as required analysis, e.g., forpredictive purposes and the like.

Referring to FIG. 5 a representative embodiment of a light fixturecontroller in a light fixture for use in the systems of FIG. 1-FIG. 3,in accordance with one or more embodiments will be briefly discussed anddescribed. FIG. 5 shows a light fixture controller 501 that includesmemory with log files, etc. 501 and a transceiver 503 to support awireless link, e.g., to a gateway. The log files include informationregarding lamp ON/OFF, any cycling events and cycle limit exceeded,temperature information, light levels as measured, service and resetdata, lamp sensor light level and temperature value at definedintervals, day night sensor data, real time clock information, etc.

A lamp circuit 505 that is powered along with the controller from ACpower input 507 is depicted. The lamp circuit 505 includes a lamp 507,e.g., in some embodiments a High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamp, aBallast circuit 509 (shown as coiled core but could be electronic) and amulti-tap capacitor 511. Different capacitor values can be selected andswitched into the Ballast circuit 509 and this provides for selectingdifferent input power levels and thus output lumen levels from the lamp507. It will be appreciated that other selecting means would be used forelectronic ballasts. The controller determines or is provided a powerlevel indication, e.g., one of 64 levels, that is desired and controls aswitch circuit (not shown) coupled to the capacitor by bus 512 to selectan appropriate capacitance to provide the indicated power level.

Also shown in FIG. 5 is a lamp sensor 515 that includes a temperaturesensor (not shown), a day night sensor 517, and one or more othersensors 519, e.g., activity (motion) sensor, dust sensors, etc. The daynight sensor is suited for detecting dawn and dusk (night and day)lighting conditions and can be used by the controller to turn the lampon and off. Alternatively a command via the transceiver from a systemcontroller can be used to turn the lamp on and off. The lamp sensorincludes a photo sensor and is arranged and configured with thecontroller to measure and indicate an actual light output level from thelamp. The output level as measured can be compared to the expected ortargeted light output level. The light fixture controller can adjust thevia changing capacitance the output level up or down to provide theappropriate output lumen or light level. Alternatively or additionallythe actual light output level can be reported via the transceiver to thesystem controller or the like. The system controller can then makeadjustments to the indicated power level in the appropriate directionand send another command to the fixture controller. In any event thelamp sensor and actual light level that is measured and feedback allowsthe light fixture to be operated at the minimum appropriate light level.

In operation the light fixture or lumen controller 501 or otherapparatus with similar functionality can be used to implement a methodof facilitating monitoring and controlling a light fixture. The methodas will be evident from the discussions above includes controlling alamp circuit to provide one of a multiplicity of light levels; assessingperformance parameters of the light fixture (light output, temperature,ON OFF conditions, hours of usage at each power level, etc); andcommunicating with a central server. The communicating with a centralserver further comprises sending one or more of the performanceparameters to the central server or receiving lighting parameters(schedules, levels, etc.) from the central server and the controllingthe lamp circuit can be performed responsive to the lighting parameters.As noted the controlling a lamp circuit to provide one of a multiplicityof light levels is responsive and adapted to the assessing performanceparameters including measuring an output light level. The controlling alamp circuit can comprise controlling the light circuit to change anactual output light level to approach a target output light level. Thetarget output light level is normally obtained by communicating with thecentral server. It will be appreciated that one or more of theseprocesses can be repeated as required.

Referring to FIG. 6, a flow chart illustrating one or more methods ofadaptively monitoring and controlling a lighting system in accordancewith one or more embodiments will be discussed and described. FIG. 6shows a flow chart 600 that starts at 601 and that reflects methodsassociated with and of adaptively monitoring and controlling a lightingsystem. These methods can be implemented with the controller of FIG.1-FIG. 4 or other similar apparatus with similar functionality. Many ofthe inventive techniques and principles reflected in the flow chart andthese discussions have been discussed above and thus much of thediscussion below will be a summary format with various details availableabove.

One embodiment is a method comprising selectively communicating witheach of a multiplicity of light fixtures 603 and maintaining a data basecontaining information associated with each of the multiplicity of lightfixtures 605. The selectively communicating can include sendinginformation (schedules, etc.) to the respective light fixtures as wellas receiving information from these fixtures. The method furthercomprises adaptively establishing lighting parameters 607 for each ofthe multiplicity of light fixtures by the selectively communicating witheach of the multiplicity of light fixtures and further based for exampleon respective information in the database.

The maintaining the database can include maintaining a data baseincluding configuration information for each of the multiplicity oflight fixtures and including information obtained by the selectivelycommunicating with each of the multiplicity of light fixtures to obtain,e.g., performance related information associated with each of themultiplicity of light fixtures. For example, maintaining a data base caninclude obtaining performance information sufficient to determine powerconsumption of each of the multiplicity of light fixtures, pursuant toconsumption based metering. Furthermore, maintaining a data base cancomprise maintaining a database including behavior of one or morecomponents associated with each of the multiplicity of light fixtures.

The adaptively establishing lighting parameters in some embodimentsfurther comprises adaptively establishing lighting parameters (levels,schedules, etc.) for each of the multiplicity of light fixtures based onlighting status information corresponding to the each of themultiplicity of light fixtures. For example, the adaptively establishinglighting parameters for the each of the multiplicity of light fixturescan be based on lighting status information obtained from each of themultiplicity of light fixtures. The adaptively establishing lightingparameters for each of the multiplicity of light fixtures based onlighting status information can comprise establishing a respectivelighting level for and based on lighting status information obtainedfrom each of the multiplicity of light fixtures, where the lightingstatus information corresponds to the information in the databaseassociated with each of the multiplicity of light fixtures. As notedabove, the adaptively establishing further comprises establishingdifferent lighting parameters for a first and a second one or differentones of the multiplicity of light fixtures based on different lightingstatus information associated with the first and the second one of themultiplicity of light fixtures.

The selectively communicating can comprise selectively communicatingover a wireless or wired or some combination of wired and wirelessinterface to the multiplicity of light fixtures. The selectivelycommunicating often includes selectively communicating over one or moregateways, where each gateway provides a communication link to one ormore of the multiplicity of light fixtures. The selectivelycommunicating in various embodiments comprises selectively communicatingwith one or more or each of the multiplicity of light fixtures toadaptively establish lighting levels for the respective ones of themultiplicity of light fixtures, where the lighting levels are based on aschedule for the respective ones of the multiplicity of light fixtures.For example, the lighting levels for any one or more of the multiplicityof light fixtures can vary over three or more levels in accordance witha time of day.

The lighting levels can be adaptively controlled on a fixture by fixturebasis to correspond to one or more of a lighting application, a surfaceto be illuminated, an activity level associated with the surface to beilluminated or environmental conditions (adverse weather, dust storms,etc.) in the location of respective ones of the multiplicity of lightfixtures. The lighting levels can be adaptively controlled to correspondto an age of one or more components associated with each of themultiplicity of light fixtures. Specifically, in various embodiments,the lighting levels are adaptively controlled on a fixture by fixturebasis to correspond to measured output light level information obtainedfrom each of the multiplicity of light fixtures.

The processes, apparatus, and systems, discussed above, and theinventive principles thereof are intended to and can significantlyreduce energy usage and lower maintenance costs of lighting systems andthe like. Using the techniques noted, including feedback from respectivelight fixtures, light output levels can be controlled or set at aminimum acceptable output level (rather than the present practice ofover lighting to account for life time depreciation effects) andmaintained at that level over a life cycle of the light fixture.

This disclosure is intended to explain how to fashion and use variousembodiments in accordance with the invention rather than to limit thetrue, intended, and fair scope and spirit thereof. The foregoingdescription is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the inventionto the precise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are possiblein light of the above teachings. The embodiment(s) was chosen anddescribed to provide the best illustration of the principles of theinvention and its practical application, and to enable one of ordinaryskill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments andwith various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scopeof the invention as determined by the appended claims, as may be amendedduring the pendency of this application for patent, and all equivalentsthereof, when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which theyare fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. A controller configured for adaptive monitoringand control of a lighting system, the controller comprising: acommunication interface configured to communicate with a multiplicity ofgeographically distributed light fixtures, the multiplicity ofgeographically distributed light fixtures operable to provide generallumination to a geographical area; a memory for storing softwareroutines and information associated with each of the multiplicity ofgeographically distributed light fixtures, wherein a portion of theinformation is obtained, via the communication interface, from the eachof the multiplicity of geographically distributed light fixtures; and aprocessor coupled to the memory and the communication interface, andconfigured to execute the software routines and selectively communicatewith each of the multiplicity of geographically distributed lightfixtures to adaptively establish lighting parameters for each of themultiplicity of geographically distributed light fixtures based onlighting information corresponding to the light fixture, wherein theprocessor is further configured to adaptively establish differentlighting parameters for at least a different one of the multiplicity ofgeographically distributed light fixtures based on different lightinginformation associated with the at least a different one of themultiplicity of geographically distributed light fixtures, the lightingparameters establish a lighting level that is compensated fordegradation of one or more components of the at least one of themultiplicity of geographically distributed light fixtures.
 2. Thecontroller of claim 1 where the processor is further configured toadaptively establish lighting parameters for the at least one of themultiplicity of light fixtures based on lighting status informationobtained from the at least one of the multiplicity of light fixtures. 3.The controller of claim 1 where the processor is further configured toadaptively establish the lighting level for and based on lighting statusinformation obtained from the at least one of the multiplicity of lightfixtures, where the lighting status information corresponds to theinformation associated with the at least one of the multiplicity oflight fixtures.
 4. The controller of claim 1 where the communicationinterface further comprises a wireless interface to the multiplicity oflight fixtures.
 5. The controller of claim 4 where the wirelessinterface further comprises a wireless network configured as a meshnetwork comprised of a plurality of transceivers associated with acorresponding plurality of the multiplicity of light fixtures.
 6. Thecontroller of claim 1 where the communication interface furthercomprises a wired interface to the multiplicity of light fixtures. 7.The controller of claim 1 where the communication interface provides acommunication link to one or more gateways, where each gateway providesa communication link to one or more of the multiplicity of lightfixtures.
 8. The controller of claim 1 where the processor is furtherconfigured to selectively communicate with at least one of themultiplicity of light fixtures to adaptively establish the lightinglevel for the at least one of the multiplicity of light fixtures, wherethe lighting level is based on a schedule for the at least one of themultiplicity of light fixtures.
 9. The controller of claim 8 where thelighting level varies over three or more levels in accordance with atime of day.
 10. The controller of claim 8 where the lighting levelcorresponds to a lighting application.
 11. The controller of claim 8where the lighting level corresponds to a type of surface to beilluminated.
 12. The controller of claim 8 where the lighting levelcorresponds to an activity level associated with a type of surface to beilluminated.
 13. The controller of claim 8 where the lighting levelcorresponds to performance information obtained from each of the atleast one of the multiplicity of light fixtures.
 14. The controller ofclaim 8 where the lighting level corresponds to one or more weatherconditions.
 15. The controller of claim 1 where the processor isconfigured to selectively communicate with the at least one of themultiplicity of light fixtures to obtain performance related informationassociated with the at least one of the multiplicity of light fixtures.16. The controller of claim 15 where the processor is configured toobtain performance information sufficient to determine power consumptionof the at least one of the multiplicity of light fixtures.
 17. Thecontroller of claim 1 wherein the lighting level is an actual outputlighting level of the at least one of the multiplicity of lightfixtures, the actual output lighting level adapted to and substantiallyequal to a target lighting level over a service life of the at least oneof the multiplicity of light fixtures.
 18. The controller of claim 1wherein the processor is configured to establish an output light levelthat varies in accordance with an activity level associated with asurface to be illuminated by the at least one of the multiplicity oflight fixtures.
 19. The controller of claim 18 wherein the activitylevel comprises a pedestrian conflict level.
 20. The controller of claim1, wherein the processor is configure to compensate the lighting levelfor the degradation of one or more components of the at least one of themultiplicity of geographically distributed light fixtures by setting thelighting level at a minimum acceptable output level and maintaining theminimum acceptable output level over a life cycle of the at least one ofthe multiplicity of geographically distributed light fixtures.
 21. Amethod of adaptively monitoring and controlling a lighting system, themethod comprising: selectively communicating with each of a multiplicityof geographically distributed light fixtures, the multiplicity ofgeographically distributed light fixtures operable to provide generallumination to a geographical area; maintaining a database containinginformation associated with each of the multiplicity of geographicallydistributed light fixtures, wherein a portion of the information isobtained from the each of the multiplicity of geographically distributedlight fixtures by the selectively communicating; and adaptivelyestablishing lighting parameters for each of the multiplicity ofgeographically distributed light fixtures based on lighting informationcorresponding to the each of the multiplicity of geographicallydistributed light fixtures by the selectively communicating with each ofthe multiplicity of geographically distributed light fixtures, thelighting parameters establish a lighting level that is compensated fordegradation of one or more components of the at least one of themultiplicity of geographically distributed light fixtures; wherein theadaptively establishing further comprises establishing differentlighting parameters for a first and a second one of the multiplicity ofgeographically distributed light fixtures based on different lightingstatus information associated with the first and the second one of themultiplicity of geographically distributed light fixtures.
 22. Themethod of claim 21 where the adaptively establishing lighting parametersfor the each of the multiplicity of light fixtures is based on lightingstatus information obtained from the each of the multiplicity of lightfixtures.
 23. The method of claim 21 where the adaptively establishinglighting parameters for the each of the multiplicity of light fixturesbased on lighting status information further comprises establishing thelighting level for and based on lighting status information obtainedfrom the each of the multiplicity of light fixtures, where the lightingstatus information corresponds to the information associated with eachof the multiplicity of light fixtures.
 24. The method of claim 21 wherethe selectively communicating comprises selectively communicating over awireless interface to the multiplicity of light fixtures.
 25. The methodof claim 21 where the selectively communicating comprises selectivelycommunicating over a wired interface to the multiplicity of lightfixtures.
 26. The method of claim 21 where the selectively communicatingcomprises selectively communicating over one or more gateways, whereeach gateway provides a communication link to one or more of themultiplicity of light fixtures.
 27. The method of claim 21 where theselectively communicating further comprises selectively communicatingwith at least one of the multiplicity of light fixtures to adaptivelyestablish the lighting level for the at least one of the multiplicity oflight fixtures, where the lighting level is based on a schedule for theat least one of the multiplicity of light fixtures.
 28. The method ofclaim 27 where the lighting level for the at least one of themultiplicity of light fixtures vary over three or more levels inaccordance with a time of day.
 29. The method of claim 27 where thelighting level corresponds to at least one of a lighting application, asurface to be illuminated, an activity level associated with the surfaceto be illuminated and environmental conditions in the location of the atleast one of the multiplicity of light fixtures.
 30. The method of claim27 where the lighting levels correspond to a measured output light levelinformation obtained from each of the at least one of the multiplicityof light fixtures.
 31. The method of claim 21 where the maintaining adatabase further comprises maintaining a database includingconfiguration information for each of the multiplicity of light fixturesand including information obtained by the selectively communicating witheach of the multiplicity of light fixtures to obtain performance relatedinformation associated with the each of the multiplicity of lightfixtures.
 32. The method of claim 31 where the maintaining a databasecomprises obtaining performance information sufficient to determinepower consumption of the each of the multiplicity of light fixtures. 33.The method of claim 31 where the maintaining a database comprisesmaintaining a database including behavior of one or more componentsassociated with each of the multiplicity of light fixtures.
 34. Themethod of claim 21, wherein the adaptively establishing lightingparameters comprises: compensating the lighting level for thedegradation of one or more components of the at least one of themultiplicity of geographically distributed light fixtures, includingsetting the lighting level at a minimum acceptable output level andmaintaining the minimum acceptable output level over a life cycle of theat least one of the multiplicity of geographically distributed lightfixtures.
 35. A controller configured for adaptive monitoring andcontrol of a lighting system, the controller comprising: a communicationinterface configured to communicate with a multiplicity ofgeographically distributed light fixtures; a memory for storing softwareroutines and information associated with each of the multiplicity ofgeographically distributed light fixtures; and a processor coupled tothe memory and the communication interface and configured to execute thesoftware routines and selectively communicate with each of themultiplicity of geographically distributed light fixtures to adaptivelyestablish lighting parameters for the each of the multiplicity ofgeographically distributed light fixtures, wherein the processor isconfigured to establish an output light level that varies in accordancewith an activity level associated with a surface to be illuminated bythe at least one of the multiplicity of geographically distributed lightfixtures and is compensated for degradation of one or more components ofthe at least one of the multiplicity of geographically distributed lightfixtures, and wherein the activity level comprises a vehicle activitylevel.
 36. The controller of claim 35 wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to adaptively establish lighting parameters for the at leastone of the multiplicity of light fixtures based on lighting informationcorresponding to the at least one of the multiplicity of light fixtures.37. The controller of claim 36 wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to adaptively establish different lighting parameters for atleast a different one of the multiplicity of light fixtures based ondifferent lighting information associated with the at least a differentone of the multiplicity of light fixtures.
 38. The controller of claim36 wherein the processor is further configured to selectivelycommunicate with each of the at least one of the multiplicity of lightfixtures to adaptively establish lighting levels for said each of the atleast one of the multiplicity of light fixtures, where the lightinglevels are, respectively, further based on a measured output light levelinformation obtained from said each of the at least one of themultiplicity of light fixtures.
 39. The controller of claim 35 whereinthe memory is further for storing geographic location for each of themultiplicity of light fixtures.
 40. The controller of claim 35, whereinthe processor is configure to compensate the lighting level for thedegradation of one or more components of the at least one of themultiplicity of geographically distributed light fixtures by setting thelighting level at a minimum acceptable output level and maintain theminimum acceptable output level over a life cycle of the at least one ofthe multiplicity of geographically distributed light fixtures.